Riley is part of our Forever Foster program. Forever Fosters stay with their foster parents for the remainder of their lifetime due to either extreme medical issues, very advanced age or behavioural issues that the rescue feels it is safest to have the dog remain in the care of the rescue.

Riley has been diagnosed with canine DM (Degenerative Myelopathy). DM is a progressive disease, typically appearing between 8 and 14 years of age and begins with a loss of the coordination in the hind limbs. As the disease progresses the limbs become weak and the dog will have more difficulty walking/standing/squatting. Eventual weakness will develop in the front limbs as well. A key feature of DM is that, while it will eventually completely disrupt the quality of life of the dog, it is in no way a painful process.